We’ve covered “Overpopulation” topic in our interview with National Geographic Senior Environment Editor Robert Kunzig before. Now the time has come to announce the birth of 7 billionth human being on this planet. The boy’s name is Peter Nikolayev (though his claim to fame is disputed: India, China and the Leningrad Region have also laid claim to the 7 billionth child) – more info.

Regarding the whole population issue, there is an interesting interactive BBC page: Seven Billion and You. National Geographic magazine has also come up with new “7 Billion” app, based on its year-long series on world population:

A metal-roofed metropolis, Goma sits at the crossroads of conflict in eastern Congo, its population exploding with displaced villagers, soldiers, profiteers, and aid workers. The lava-rumpled city sprawls between Lake Kivu, full of dangerous gases, and the restless Nyiragongo volcano:

Galaxy M-83 is a crazy hub of activity – six (!) supernovas registered there, plus Hubble telescope has unveiled a huge number of newborn stars at the outer limits of M83 – that, according to the standard model of star formation, should not be there in such numbers – more info:

“The Pillars of Creation no longer exist. In 2007, astronomers announced that they were destroyed about 6,000 years ago by the shock wave from a supernova. Their actual destruction, however, will not be visible for another millennium.” – more info: